Rath Yatra celebrated in Delhi

New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) Scores of people thronged the Jagannath Temple in the capital today as the three presiding deities came out of the temple and went on a 'Rath' (a chariot) for their nine-day annual sojourn to their aunt's place.

In a replication of the main Rath Yatra that is celebrated in Puri town of Orissa, deities of Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Lord Balavadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra, came out in a ceremonial procession, amid the chanting of Vedic mantras and boarded the chariot.

As is the tradition in Puri, where the street is swept by the Puri's 'Rajah' (the traditional ruler) before the chariots move, here the ritual was carried out by Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna.

The chariot went via the Aurobindo market, Ansari Nagar and then came back to Hauz Khas.

The legend has it that the three siblings go to their Aunt Gundicha's place for a nine-day sojourn. During the period, people from other castes (other than Brahmins) get a chance to serve the Lords.

The Bahuda Yatra or the return car festival will be held on July 24 when the deities return to their abode.

UNI